The leading black-clothed man spoke up and exchanged a glance with the people beside him. Soon, several of them broke away from the fight and rushed toward Ruan Jingshu with their swords drawn.
“Run! You are no match for them.”
Wei Jingyuan didn’t know what was going on, but seeing her confused and dazed expression made him anxious, so he quickly warned her again.
Earlier, he had seen Qisha return, and combined with what Tian Shu had said yesterday, he already had a guess about her identity.
“Hahaha, none of you are leaving today…”
The black-clothed leader hadn’t finished speaking when, from the edge of his vision, he caught a flash of silver streaking toward him at incredible speed.
His pupils contracted sharply. He tried to dodge—but it was already too late.
“Ah!”
A miserable scream rang out. A silver dagger had already pierced his eye socket. The entire blade sank in, leaving only the hilt exposed.
The immense force drove him backward several steps before he crashed into a tree and collapsed.
“Who said I was leaving?”
Ruan Jingshu reached behind her and, as if by magic, pulled out a half-foot short blade.
She walked forward step by step, her eyes filled with a mocking smile.
Just now that unruly black horse had tried to kick her—since it was only a beast with some intelligence, she let it go. But now this black-clothed man dared to mock her, and that was intolerable.
The leader’s agonized screams echoed through the night. Both sides of the fight instinctively stepped back, warily watching the cold and sharp woman.
The black-clothed leader had already collapsed at the base of a tree, twitching violently—clearly beyond saving.
“Everyone, attack together! Kill this woman to avenge the leader!”
With a shout, several black-clothed men charged at her with swords.
“Courting death!”
Ruan Jingshu let out a cold laugh and rushed forward with her blade.
Though the short blade’s material was unknown, it was incredibly sharp—capable of cutting iron like mud.
“Brothers, stop hesitating! Let’s go too!”
Tian Shu wiped the blood splattered on his face and charged first, slicing a man’s throat with a single strike.
The others also felt their blood boiling and rushed into the battle.
Ruan Jingshu’s fighting style was unusual. She had no formal techniques or patterns, but every strike of her blade was lethal.
With such a human “kill machine” among them, the black-clothed attackers quickly fell in large numbers.
A few on the outer edge exchanged glances, then quietly turned and fled into the dark forest.
“Those who know the situation are wise.” If they couldn’t win, there was no reason to stay.
But Ruan Jingshu had already noticed them. She cut down the person in front of her and immediately gave chase.
One man had just entered the forest, feeling relieved—when a sharp pain struck his chest. He looked down in disbelief and saw a silver blade protruding from him before collapsing.
By the time she returned with her blade, the remaining enemies had already been finished off by Tian Shu and the others.
“Miss Ruan, thank you for your help today.”
Tian Shu stepped forward and thanked her respectfully.
“Do you know me?”
Ruan Jingshu was slightly puzzled.
“We’ve never met before, but we saw you in action yesterday,” Tian Shu replied honestly.
“So the ones following me were also yours?”
“…Please forgive us, we were only—”
“Tian Shu, invite Miss Ruan to the carriage to talk.”
At that moment, Wei Jingyuan spoke from inside the carriage.
“Miss Ruan, please.”
A servant smiled ingratiatingly and offered her pastries.
“Sit. Thank you for your help today.”
Wei Jingyuan personally poured her tea.
“It was nothing, just a coincidence.”
Ruan Jingshu sat down but did not eat the pastry immediately.
Wei Jingyuan smiled slightly and also picked up a piece, eating it calmly.
Ruan Jingshu’s gaze lingered briefly on his hand. She swallowed slightly, then lowered her head and finally took a bite as well.